Food | GAYOT's Blog

Leopold’s Ice Cream

by Patricia Mack

Ask wife Mary and she will tell you that Stratton Leopold has a passion for washing soda fountain glasses, be it at home or work at the nearly century-old Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah, GA.

He also has a passion for making movies.

Leopold, when he’s not creating spectacular banana splits or hand-dipping double scoops of mocha chocolate chip ice cream into cones for patrons who line up daily out the door of the little ice cream parlor/lunch shop, is a freelance Hollywood producer and former executive vice president of production at Paramount Pictures. He has also worked as an actor, casting director, executive and production manager during his long and successful career. Among his recent projects are “Parker,” “Captain America: the First Avenger” and “Mission: Impossible III.”

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Rising Star Chefs Announced in San Francisco

Sean Baker (pictured center), executive chef at Gather

by Anneli Rufus

Fish-sauce-glazed Berkshire pork belly with roasted kumquats and kimchi. Verbena-and-chamomile-poached sea bream collar with pear and celery. These are dishes to show off with.

But showing off was the raison d’être of StarChefs.com’s 2013 San Francisco Bay Area Rising Stars Awards ceremony and gala, held June 13 at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

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The Complete Guide to Naturally Gluten-Free Foods – Cookbook Review

The Complete Guide to Naturally Gluten-Free Foods

By Olivia Dupin

(Fair Winds Press, 2013)

Naturally Gluten-Free Foods approaches going gluten-free with enthusiasm. People who have to avoid this wheat protein for health reasons, not because it’s a trendy weight-loss approach, will be happy to find simple recipes for familiar foods which are, as the title promises, naturally sans gluten. So you won’t need obscure health food store ingredients or expensive, hard-to-find substitutions.

The book begins with the story of author Olivia Dupin’s own struggle with gluten intolerance and an explanation of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Several chapters offer practical information, including descriptions of symptoms, lists of foods to avoid and lists of naturally gluten-free foods, as well as suggestions for handling various tricky situations – from cravings to social awkwardness – and clarifications about terminology that kitchen beginners may not recognize.

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Tru Alka Water Review

Tru Alka is an alkaline water with a pH of 9-10

Go Alkaline with Tru Alka

by Julia Mason

Alkaline water — also known as “high pH” water — has recently become increasingly popular as a wellness trend, in part thanks to “alkaline diet” devotees such as Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The basic premise of the “alkaline movement” is that the consumption of beverages and foods with a low acid content – meaning a higher pH level – can boost the immune system by neutralizing acid in the body. While the human body is naturally alkaline, a diet high in meat, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods can radically increase the amount of acid in the blood. This stresses out the digestive system and promotes inflammation, which can lead to disease.

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Stefan’s at L.A. Farm New Summer Menu

House cured salmon with honey dill mustard

by Cara Trump

We’ve been a fan of Stefan’s at L.A. Farm in Santa Monica since its launch almost four years ago. Chef Stefan Richter opened his restaurant after competing on season 5 of “Top Chef,” in which he was a runner-up. Monday night, we had the opportunity to sample his delicious new menu for summer 2013, as chef Stefan mingled with guests and posed for photos.

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